| Dan Poynter | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 17, 1938 |
| Residence | Santa Barbara, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Social Science |
| Alma mater | California State University, Chico |
| Occupation | Author, motivational speaker, publisher |
| Website | |
| parapublishing.com | |
Dan Poynter is an American author, consultant, publisher, professional speaker and parachute designer.
Since 1969, he has written more than 125 books, many reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them on book publishing. The writing and publishing of The Self-Publishing Manual in 1979 propelled him to notoriety in the publishing industry. Each year he addresses scores of groups on the subject of publishing.
He is the founder of Para Publishing and has been featured in many major media outlets,[1] including Entrepreneur, U.S. News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post[2], Writer's Digest[3] and the The New York Times[4].
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He began his career managing a parachute company in Oakland, California. From there, he moved east where he became a parachute design specialist. An active skydiver, he began writing about parachute design and use. His column in Parachutist Magazine led him to writing books on parachutes[5] and skydiving[6]. Dan became active in the politics of the sport when elected to the board of the Parachute Club of America, later the U.S. Parachute Association.[7]
In 1973, he became interested in the new sport of hang gliding. Unable to find a book on the new sport, he researched, drew from his experience as a pilot and skydiver, and wrote the first book on the subject. He was elected to the board of the U.S. Hang Gliding Association, later the U.S. Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (USHPA). Later, was served as president of the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Paris.
In 1979, drawing on what he learned in book writing and publishing, he wrote The Self-Publishing Manual. Continuing to write and publish, he produced a circular book on Frisbee play, the first book on word processors, pioneered fax-on-demand, began selling information products from his website in 1996, wrote many more books on writing, publishing, and book promoting and began speaking on the subjects worldwide.
He continues to edit and publish newsletters on book writing/publishing and professional speaking.[8] He edits and publishes blogs on book writing/publishing and air travel. Poynter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from California State University, Chico and also attended San Francisco Law School.
Poynter is an expert skydiver[9] who has been active in the industry since 1962. He has written more books on parachutes and skydiving than any other author. He has served in elective office in various aviation associations including the United States Parachute Association (chairman of the board), The Parachute Industry Association (President), the U.S. Hang Gliding Association (director), and the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (president).
He invented the Stylemaster parachute, the Fastbak parachute, revolving cones, Tri-vent modification for reserve canopies, and patented[10] the Pop Top parachute.
Poynter has received numerous awards over his lifetime, including a Certificate of Recognition by the County of Santa Barbara and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Lois Capps.
Other awards include the Benjamin Franklin Person of the Year Award for Lifetime Achievement, (Publishers Marketing Association, 1992), Irwin Award (Book Publishers of Southern California, 1995), Lifetime Achievement Award in Publishing (Express Yourself Authors’ Conference, 2007)[11], Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association)[12], President’s Award for Service (Global Speakers Federation[13], 2007), International Ambassador Award (Global Speakers Federation, 2008), Award Honorary Lifetime Membership (German Speakers Association, 2010)[14] and appointed to Global Speakers Summit Organizing Committee.
He has also received the Bronze Otto Lilienthal Medal (U.S. Hang Gliding Association)[15] and the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the U.S. Parachute Association (1980) and Parachute Industry Association (2005).[16]